October 1990

About this Issue

Note from the Editors

Mr. Alfred G. Hilbert, historian for the Town of Elmira and for the Chemung County Historical Society, has written and spoken to groups about the Pre-Emption Line for more than 20 years. Our issue begins with part one of his history of this famous north-south demarcation through the middle of western New York. This month he describes the line's historical background of Conflicting Charters Mr. Hilbert furnished the chart that illustrates this article. This is the first of a series by Mr. Hilbert on the Pre-emption Line. Mr. Hilbert was for years supervisor of the property records of the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, and his work acquainted him with many of the unusual place names in this part of the state. Discovering the Pre-emption Line Road led him to a study of the origin of its name. Mr. Hilbert has been a member of the NYSEG Speakers Club for years and has spoken to many groups, not only about the story of the Pre-emption Line, but also about other fascinating topics related to the history of western New York.

Merle Wheaton contributes an account of the North Cohocton enterpriser, Delano D. Cottrell. Cottrell established what became the largest magazine subscription service in the world in North Cohocton. Mr. Wheaton is historian for the Town of Cohocton, and he remembers D. D. Cottrell and the horseshoe pitching contests he sponsored.

We include another selection from S. H. Hammond's book Country Rambles. This month's selection has more about the country around Keuka Lake, mostly up the east side. Hammond's book was suggested for reprinting by L. Wood and D. Sherer.

Peter Henderson's advice for gardeners in the month of October, is taken from his 1866 book Gardening for Profit.

This month Ed Harris' continues his series Harpending's Corners with his recollections of what it was like to live through childhood illnesses in the 1920s and 30s, and the ideas for healthful living that his long-lived Aunt Lizzie followed—and admonished himself and others to follow.

Another story of illness in this issue is Mrs. Kirkland's chapter "The Ague—Michigan Malaria" from A New Home.

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